Time Off for Voting Rules in Kentucky

Kentucky employers must provide employees with time off to vote in accordance with these state rules.

A person entitled to vote at any election in Kentucky is entitled to take time off to vote.

No one who takes a reasonable amount of time off to vote may be penalized unless the person takes time off to vote and then, under circumstances that did not prevent the person from voting, does not cast a vote. Taking voting leave without casting a vote may subject an employee to disciplinary action.

Any person selected to serve as an election officer is entitled to take a leave of absence from employment for an entire day to attend training or to serve as an election officer.

Paid time off rules: Not specified, but employees can not be penalized for taking reasonable time off to vote, unless no vote is cast.

Advance notice requirements: Before an employee is entitled to time off to vote a request for time off must be made prior to the election day. The employer may specify the hours during which employees may be absent to vote.

Amount of time off allowed: An employee must be given a reasonable amount of time off, but not less than four hours between the opening and closing of polls, or up to four hours to request an application or execute an absentee ballot, on the day appearing before the clerk, during business hours.